Europe Set to Clear IPad to Smartphone Use Throughout Flights

An airline passenger checks his mobile phone before take off. New guidelines on the use of electronics on flights by European carriers will be published by the end of the month. Photographer: Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images

Nov. 13 (Bloomberg) -- Passengers with smartphones and
music players flying on European airlines will no longer have to
turn off their device on take-off and landing under rules being
developed by the European Aviation Safety Agency.

New guidelines on the use of electronics on flights by
European carriers will be published by the end of the month, the
Cologne-based regulator said in a statement today. The policy
“will extend to all phases of flight the possibility to use
personal electronic devices,” it said.

EASA is following the lead of the U.S. Federal Aviation
Administration, which said Oct. 31 it was preparing the way for
easing limits on the use of electronics on planes. The policy
changes are made to reflect the proliferation of smartphones and
tablets among passengers.

“This is a major step in the process of expanding the
freedom to use personal electronic devices on-board aircraft
without compromise in safety,” EASA Executive Director Patrick
Ky said. The agency said it is “looking at new ways to certify
the use of mobile phones on-board aircraft to make phone
calls.”

Most devices will be approved for use as long as they are
in so-called flight or airplane mode that suppresses a
transmission signal. Bulky electronic devices such as laptops
will still have to be stored during takeoff and landing, EASA
said. Airlines have discretion on whether to permit passengers
the expanded use of the devices, it said.